Canned Herring for Prevention of Childhood Malnutrition During the Early Rainy Season in Rural Guinea-Bissau

Effectiveness of Canned Herring for Prevention of Childhood Malnutrition During the Early Rainy Season in Rural Guinea-Bissau

This study will test the effectiveness of a weekly village distribution of canned herring for prevention of malnutrition in children aged 2-5 years old during a food-insecure time of the year in rural villages in Guinea-Bissau. The study will use community health workers to conduct the herring distribution, making this a test that will provide valuable information on what could become a practical food aid supplementation practice. The primary study hypothesis is that distribution of canned herring as a weekly food supplement to families with young children at the beginning of the rainy season will prevent a seasonal decrease in weight-for-age Z-score (primary variable) of children with mild to moderate malnutrition at baseline.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Village leaders willing to allow the study to take place in their village
• Village must have community health workers who are willing to do the weekly distribution of herring to enrolled families and are able to keep the necessary records documenting the distribution.
• Children age 2-5 currently living in a selected village
• Parents willing to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• There are no eligibility exclusions for this study.
• If a child is identified with severe malnutrition at the baseline measurement, the family will be advised to take the child for treatment rather than participate in the study.